Getting A Job With An Associate Degree In Bookkeeping

An Associate degree in bookkeeping is a great path to employment, as the demand for people with those skills grows steadily. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an 11% growth by 2022, which underscores the need for people with an understanding of how to balance the books.

How Bookkeeping Helps A Business

Most businesses have a variety of financial functions to manage as they buy and sell services, products and supplies. Depending on the size of the company, they may employ one person to handle accounts payable and accounts receivable along with other specific functions, or hire someone separate for each job. Many fresh graduates of bookkeeping programs get their start doing financial data entry, and may hold titles such as bookkeeper, bookkeeping clerk, accounting clerk or auditing clerk. In time, they may have more responsibility for day-to-day reporting, generating financial statements, and preparing bank deposits. Especially in a smaller business, bookkeepers may eventually move up to have titles such as Controller or Financial Manager; however, holding these titles sometimes requires additional specialized accounting education.

Bookkeepers vs. Accountants

Bookkeepers may be informally called “accountants,” but the accounting title involves having specific education, as decided by the state accounting board, and duties that include business analysis, reporting, and even financial advice. A company that manages its day-to-day work with a bookkeeper often calls in a certified accountant for taxes, audits and other specialized work.

For bookkeeping graduates, the coursework includes accounting, computer classes, and math, among others. There is usually a class directed toward obtaining bookkeeper certification from the AIPB, American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers, or the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers.

In contrast, accountants have a more rounded business administration background that allows them to see the bigger financial picture of a company. They may study to obtain their CPA from the AICPA, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Opportunities For Bookkeepers In Business

Despite the difference in education and capabilities between bookkeepers and accountants, a bookkeeper may be a perfect fit for some companies. The smaller the business, the more likely it is that a person with bookkeeper training will be able to manage routine financial duties, with occasional oversight from an accountant. Hiring a bookkeeper is less expensive than hiring a person with an accounting degree or a CPA for routine bookkeeping duties.

While bookkeeping, especially when managed through programs such as QuickBooks, is fairly easy to do, small business owners want to devote their time to growing the business itself. A bookkeeper can make sure the bills are paid, assist collections, process payments, set aside funds for withholding and other taxes, and help keep the company on financial track. Hiring a bookkeeper, even based on the generous going rates, and only using an accountant occasionally is a fiscally sound approach for many small businesses.

If you are interested in obtaining the credentials for bookkeeping, CBT College offers both a Bookkeeping Assistant diploma program and an A.S. in Bookkeeping degree. Contact us at 305-764-3165 to learn more about admissions and find a campus location nearest you.

]]>http://blog.cbt.edu/find-good-jobs-with-a-bookkeeping-degree/feed/0Is A Business Degree Worth It If You Do Not Go To A “Top” School?http://blog.cbt.edu/is-a-business-degree-worth-it-if-you-do-not-go-to-a-top-school/
http://blog.cbt.edu/is-a-business-degree-worth-it-if-you-do-not-go-to-a-top-school/#commentsTue, 07 Jul 2015 15:10:31 +0000Jorge Cubillohttp://blog.cbt.edu/?p=3860

With hundreds of accredited business schools operating in the United States, is obtaining a business administration degree worth your time if you cannot attend a “top” school? A recent list of top business schools by Forbes ranks schools such as Stanford, University of Chicago (Booth), Harvard, University of Pennsylvania (Wharton), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Northwestern as the top five of their list of 70 great schools. Most people, however, do not attend these schools, yet craft lucrative careers for themselves based on the skills they learn from business programs.

There are three basic ways of evaluating the value of a business career:

The starting salary and long-term salary potential

The skill package you present vs. what employers want

The opportunities you may receive as a result of your education

Show Me the Money

Graduates of top schools often receive high salaries, yet this is usually after expending a considerably larger amount to obtain their education. In addition, business graduates, especially those with specialties such as economic, finance, or international business, do better than graduates with many other majors, regardless of their alma mater. Not only do business majors earn more as starting salaries, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York also reported that business majors earn 17% more over the course of a decade as compared to nonbusiness majors or minors.

Giving Employers What They Want

Many businesses hire fresh graduates because they see the potential to form them into good employees. 2014 surveys from CareerBuilder noted that 39% of employers want to hire business majors, while the spring survey of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reported that 70% of the 161 companies who participated sought business majors.

Employers look to fresh graduates with a critical eye, and often complain that many are unprepared, feel entitled, can’t work in teams, have poor communication skills, lack ambition, and can’t follow directions. They look for those with potential and who are “teachable” in the ways of the company.

Business graduates who can dispel employer attitudes and show those who might hire them that they are ready to work and learn have a distinct advantage getting in the door. Those who quickly prove they have the written and verbal communication skills, the follow-through, and the decision-making skills will have a leg up in securing themselves a good future.

Along with a positive attitude, internships, past part-time jobs, and a history of volunteer work can help sell you to a potential employer as well.

The Sky’s The Limit

If you can obtain a business degree from a reputable, accredited school you can afford, don’t spend time lamenting that your degree is not from Harvard. If you have worked to acquire the skills that employers are looking for, you will still have above average opportunities at your disposal. With drive and a business degree you can make a success out of any career.
For information about gaining a diploma, associate, or bachelor degree in business from a reputable local school, CBT College has opportunities to get your career started.

Bookkeeping is a job in which you can have your own business. According the AIPB (American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers) 35% of members are either part-time or full-time freelancers. Whether you are looking to supplement your income from your day job at a company, or you want to freelance full-time and set your own schedule, the field offers plenty of opportunities.

Getting Started As A Freelance Bookkeeper

How do you get a job as a freelancer? Because good bookkeepers are hard to find, your availability might spread by word-of-mouth after you are established; in the beginning however, getting referrals from CPAs is the way to go. Many businesses, particularly small ones and startups, need financial assistance to handle routine matters. While they do not need (and often cannot afford) the services of a CPA on a regular basis, a bookkeeper would be a perfect addition to the staff. Since bookkeepers usually work in tandem with accountants, the CPA that referred you to a business would handle certain reports or filings, or at least check the work of the bookkeeper. By building a network of CPAs, you can have a prosperous business built on referrals.

Since startup companies often need bookkeepers, you can check local sources for the names of new businesses in the area. In addition, by setting yourself up with a Facebook business page and a LinkedIn profile, you can even promote yourself online as a bookkeeper for hire. Aside from people with full-time businesses who may need bookkeeping assistance, you may uncover a market of people who do seasonal landscaping, graphics, home sales, or childcare, who need some professional guidance in keeping their books.

You have the choice of whether you want to take any client who is interested, or whether you want to specialize in particular types and sizes of businesses.

Setting Fees As A Freelance Bookkeeper

Because of the difference in education, most bookkeepers cannot charge the same rates as accountants do. However, the job still commands decent fees, whether you charge by the hour or by the project. Especially as you are getting started and building your business, the AIPB suggests some useful approaches for how to bill clients.

Tie your rates to CPA rates. If you get some of your jobs through CPA colleagues, ask them about the lowest rates that they charge as an indication of what your starting price should be.

Don’t be afraid to vary your rates by job. Some clients who have never employed professional bookkeepers before may have their records in a mess. You might charge less per hour to help get them up to speed and then let your full rates takeover.

Go in low, but talk about future expectations As you are getting established, some clients might question whether you are worth your rates. New businesses may not be able to pay you what you are worth. In either case, you can offer an introductory rate that you will increase in 30 days or a few months. If you have to prove yourself, your good work will justify the higher rates at the end of the trial.

Having a business as a freelance bookkeeper allows you to work around your responsibilities at home, another job, or your school schedule if you are working on an additional degree. If you start out with good credentials with an A.S. in Bookkeeping from CBT College, you can have a prosperous career on your own terms. Contact us at 305-764-3165 to learn more about our programs and find a campus near you.

Quick tips for scrimping and pinching

There’s something about college that makes surviving on a shoestring budget seem cool. But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Bring on the ramen, try these few tips and tricks to ease the pain—and enjoy this while it lasts. It won’t always be this fun to choose between clean laundry and having fun with your friends.

Tap into one of CBT’s on-campus jobs. Depending on the kind of work it is, they’ll be more apt to tailor the required hours to a student’s schedule than other types of work. If on Tuesdays, you can only work between 2 and 5 p.m. because of labs and team sports practice, a campus job might be for you.

Grocery shop in a group. Team up with friends or roommates and hit the store. You’ll be able to buy in bulk, easily splitting the cost and the spoils.

Set limits. Whether for your weekend beer budget or meals out on the town on nights when you’ll scream if you see one more noodle, it helps to know how much you can work with—and how much you cannot spend over.

Split bills. One of the perks of college is the fun of living with a bunch of your friends. Also, shared rent, utilities and other home costs. Done.

Be smart with your smartphone. Check with your parents about the possibility of staying on your family plan, or sign up for one with a few friends. A framily plan…

Brew your own joe. Your daily $3 double shot mocha latte habit will set you back a fair chunk when you think in terms of weeks—even months. Make the coffee shop affair a once-a-week treat.

Cook the books. With so much info and document sharing online these days, do you even need that 65-pound archeology textbook? Before you make that purchase, check with your professors to see if it’s a must-have. If so, buy one with a classmate or two and rotate using it. Don’t forget to try to resell it at the semester’s end.

Shop someone else’s closet. Host a clothing swap when you need a wardrobe refresher. New duds, no dollars.

The importance of interning

If “internship” brings to mind images of camping out at the copy machine and fetching coffees for low—even no—pay, you’d be halfway right. But while most interns in just about any field dabble in some of the less-than-glamorous aspects of office administration, there’s also often the opportunity to get some actual hands-on introductory work experience (that’s often a huge help to the company), learn from professionals in your chosen field and get exposure to what life might be like in the workforce. Most importantly, now more than ever, internships are a must-have on your resume. On the fence about what you’ll be doing this summer with all that free time? Here, the top three reasons why CBT suggests you to go out there and get yourself an internship—now.

Practice

You’ll likely choose to intern in a field in which you hope to work after graduation, be it at a graphic design firm, tech company or healthcare facility. But imagine you get there and they put you to work—and you realize, yikes, this might not be for you after all. And that’s OK. The most important thing you can take away from an internship is a glimpse into your future should you pursue that line of work—and study. It’s a little slice of how your life will be one day, when you’re working for a similar company. So make sure you like it. Make sure you’re interested in what’s going on and engaged in the work your supervisors assign. If you have to reevaluate the direction you’re taking, you’re going to want to do it while you’re still in school, before you’re hired on for a full-time gig.

Get a leg up on the competition

Each year, the pool of grads entering the workforce grows. The pool of jobs? Eh, not so much. And thus, the competition is fierce. By having a solid internship (or two or three) on your resume, prospective employers can tell that you’re interested in the jobs they’re looking to fill and (sort of) know what you’re doing. Hiring managers see a ton of resumes and cover letters. The more you can do to help yours stand out, the better

Connections and references

While you may not land your dream job on the first day of your internship, realize that often, the people you meet there can help you on your way to that dream job. If your managers see that you’re kicking butt at every task they assign, you might get a tip that informs you of an opening at a great company, the first in a chain of important introductions or even a recommendation for a position. Internships give you the chance to get into your chosen field and meet and be around people who are making it there. Let them know what you’re interested in and why. Don’t be shy about asking for help. Building your professional network early—and staying in touch regularly—can serve your career well long into the future.
]]>http://blog.cbt.edu/internships-a-rite-of-passage-into-the-workforce/feed/0Life transition: Classroom to careerhttp://blog.cbt.edu/life-transition-classroom-to-career/
http://blog.cbt.edu/life-transition-classroom-to-career/#commentsFri, 10 Apr 2015 18:48:05 +0000Jorge Cubillohttp://blog.cbt.edu/?p=3817

Classroom to career

Spring means beach weather (at last!), outdoor events (woohoo!), enjoyable strolls to class and, for some on campus, graduation. Congrats are in order. You’ve either made the leap or are about to transition from student to a citizen of the Real World, and that’s an awesome accomplishment. Whether you’ve been hired already and plan to dive right in or you need to do some serious job hunting, here are a few things to be aware of as you transition from life at CBT College to your career.

There’s a funny thing that often happens in the weeks after starting a first post-grad position. Forget how many clubs you were involved in on campus or how much you took on in your after-school hours. There’s a good chance you’re going to be mind-blowingly exhausted those first few weeks on the job. Whether because of the excitement of the new beginning, the stress of leaving the familiar behind or some funny combination of both, baby yourself those first few weeks as you get used to your new status quo. Sleep, eat well, exercise and enjoy the process.

The DIY schedule you had at college—with plenty of midday breaks—was lovely while it lasted. But more than likely, your new job is going to be a block of working hours, say, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Can you remember the last time you worked on one thing for eight hours straight? The trick is to make your work schedule work with you. By law, you’re given breaks. Take them. Use them to stretch, take a walk, occupy your mind with something other than work. Recent grads often have difficulty adjusting to a “typical workday” schedule; know that it might take some time to get used to.

As you transition to a normal work schedule, it may feel like there’s no time left for socializing or sleeping or working out. The trick? Schedule it as you would for work or class. At first, choose one event per evening—Wednesday, dinner with friends; Thursday, yoga class—and as you get used to the flow of your new schedule, you’ll find more can be squeezed in, if you so choose.

With any job come new coworkers, bosses and managers. Similar to stepping onto campus for the first time without a group of friends, go out of your way to develop working relationships with your coworkers early on. You’ll be spending an awful lot of time with these people at your new gig, and by default, they’re the very first additions to your networking circle. Building your professional connections early—and staying in touch regularly—can serve your career well long into the future.

Now is a good time to start thinking about your money situation. Whether or not you have student loans or other debt, with a brand new job that comes with a paycheck (heck, yea!) every couple weeks, it’s a smart move to begin a budget for where that money’s heading. Save, spend, donate—whatever you decide, mapping out a plan early helps you start off your career and shiny new post-grad life on the right foot.

Benefits of the library

What with the use and prevalence of the Internet in almost every aspect of campus life, students are no strangers to information overload. You may think, in fact, that you can get everything you need via Google. But one resource invaluable to your success in college that you may be overlooking? The school library. Across all four CBT locations, the library is home to more than 5,000 resources such as textbooks, magazines, CDs, DVDs, and more. It also offers access to a huge network of online data, partly through the virtual Library LIRN (Library and Information Resource Network). The CBT library’s main goal is to round up and dispense reliable, accurate information that’s relevant to all school-offered courses. The research needed for a midterm essay? They can track that. Computer and technology instruction? No worries. Study aids for the college’s toughest classes? Got ‘em—and a whole lot more.

Graphic Designers Must Evolve

Graphic designers must know how to design for a variety of different platforms and it is imperative that they know what pitfalls to look out for depending on what platform is being used. The different platforms that artists must design for today, requires that these designers keep current on what is happening in the industry, as well as keep a list of resources to create visually stunning communication pieces. Find out more about this industry & the unique aspects of a graphic design job by embedding this code on your website.

The Evolution Of Graphic Design

Graphic design is constantly changing, the designer of yesteryear used ancient tools and outdated communication mediums. The graphic designer of today is up to date on pop culture and is stuck to the computer using the latest Adobe Creative Suite Products. As the digital revolution continues to explode, designers are always presented with interesting and unique challenges. If you would like a reminder of how far the field of Graphic design has come, then copy the following code and embed it on your site.